2. MUSICAL STYLE AND INFLUENCES
Chris Brown has been influenced by a number of
artists, frequently by Michael Jackson.
Music critics have praised Brown’s introduction to
R&B and recognising his modern day adaptations as
versatility (flexible).
MTV noticed that from his choreography that it was
similar to that of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth
Criminal’, ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Beat it’ as well as the
costume choices.
Brown emphasizes “Michael
Jackson is the reason why I do
music and why I am an
entertainer”
3. INTERTEXTUALITY IN THE MUSIC
VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL
JACKSON IN ‘SHE AIN’T YOU’
This music video is a homage to Michael Jackson, it portrays his
respect to the unfortunately deceased artist.
A homage is when the intertextual references signify respect for the
original media text, and it aims to illustrate how worthy it is. The
copy indicates how good the original was
From this music video we can see that Chris Brown looked up to
Jackson, as we see that he has replicated his moves
4. INTERTEXTUALITY IN THE MUSIC
VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL
JACKSON IN ‘SHE AIN’T YOU’
This music video in the style of pastiche/homage, which is when an artist’s
work imitates that of someone else’s work.
This music video imitates legendary Michael Jackson’s work within the
video in a positive light. Chris Brown is well-known for being a fan of
Michael Jackson and tends to make intertextual references to him in his
work. In particular, this music video was completely dedicated to Michael as
a tribute to his passing. Brown iminates the pop icon’s star persona and
choreography. The song itself samples Michael Jackson ‘Human Nature’, the
girl singing in ‘She Ain’t You’ is a sample of ‘Human Nature’. The fact that
this is a tribute music video gives it repeatability.
5. HOW THE INTERTEXTUALITY IS
USED IN THE VIDEO
Within the video, the intertextual references have been made through
mise-en-scene and props, as well as visuals by choreography.
Chris has taken influence from ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ and
‘Beat It’ as well as ‘Human Nature’.
6. HOW THE INTERTEXTUALITY IS
USED IN THE VIDEO
This is how the music video
begins. Immediately the audience
is aware that this is a homage to
Michael Jackson. The white text
stands out from the black
background making it eye
catching and reinforcing the
music videos purpose.
7. Here is a screen shot from Jackson’s
‘Smooth Criminal’ music video in which
Chris Brown’s costume is based from.
Also, the music video starts with an
extreme long shot of Chris Brown dressed
in Michael Jackson’s well known style of a
white suit and black hat. Chris’
performance denotes him posing as
Jackson’s signature pose. He is composed
in the centre of the stage, making this
pose important.
8. This long shot denotes Chris Brown
floating in the air. This effect caused a
huge buss and Jackson is well known for it.
The background is dark, cloudy and
gloomy which is a convention of Jackson’s
music videos. Chris Brown’s costume is
also made to represent Michael Jackson’s
star persona.
This screen shot is taken from Michael
Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ music video in which
he has a dark, cloudy and gloomy
background.
9. This image is of Chris Brown’s
performance imitating Michael Jackson’s
signature move. He is surrounded by a
crowd of dancers as he does it. Brown’s
costume in this shot is replicating
Jackson’s costume from ‘Smooth Criminal’.
In that video, Jackson is surrounded by
dancers. In this scene, Brown is
surrounded by dancers.
This is Michael Jackson doing his signature
move whilst performing at a concert
10. This is a long shot of Chris Brown denoting
him with two clones of himself. This effect
has been used in Jackson’s ‘Don’t Stop Till
You Get Enough’ music video. Brown’s
costume in this shot is suave and snazzy in
which represents Jackson’s costume in
‘Don't Stop Till You Get Enough’.
This is a screen shot from ‘Don't Stop Till
You Get Enough’. This is where Jackson is
composed in the centre and there are two
clones on either side of him.
11. This mid shot is a restricted shot of
Chris Brown. He is in the ‘Smooth
Criminal’ costume in this shot.
Throughout the music video to ‘Smooth
Criminal’, Jackson continuously does
this pose and hides his face from the
audience. This is Chris Brown imitating
Jackson performance from the music
video.
Here is a screenshot of Michael
Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal where he is
holding his hat over his face.
12. This mid shot of Chris Brown displaying
the rule of thirds. His composition is
facing away from the audience. The
background is red and black connotation
love in which is the theme of the song
‘She Ain’t You’. Chris Brown’s costume is
smart and formal which is how Jackson
always dressed.
This long shot of Chris Brown displays an
outdoor setting including a dark, cloudy,
gloomy sky and water. Brown is dancing on
the water. The water highlights Chris doing
the moonwalk which is a Michael Jackson
dance move.
13. This long shot denotes Chris Brown doing
another signature Michael Jackson move.
Here is a screen shot is Michael
Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ music video
in which he does this signature move.
14. WHY INTERTEXTUALITY IS USED
AND THE EFFECTS CREATED
Chris Brown has used signature moves and clothing choices to create
intertextual links to Michael Jackson in order to portray his
admiration for the artist and to represent how important Jackson was
to him.
This creates an emotional atmosphere as Jackson has passed away
and we are presented with a homage / tribute to him by someone
who looks up to Jackson and see’s him as a role model.
Intertextuality has also been used through the use of visuals in order
pleasure the audience, making them want to continue as they have to
search for these links back to the deceased artist.
